Delinting device for drying tumblers



March 24, 1925- B. W. BROCKETT DELINTING DEVICE FOR DRYING TUMBLERS Filed April 23 1920 2 Sheets-Shed 1 INVENTOR W TM ATTORNEYS.

40 4/ 4m If? 3 B. W. BROCKETT I DHLINTING DEVICE FOR DRYING TUMBLERS March 24. 1925- 1,5 1,257

Filed April 23, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented e. 24, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

BLUI'O RD W. BBOGKETT, OF EUCLID HEIGHTS, OHIO.

mmmrnm nnvrcn son ravine rousnnns.

Application Merlin-1.28, 1920. Serial No. averse.

To all whom it mag concern: w

Be it' known that I. Bmrom) W. Bnocxn'r'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Euclid Heights, in the county of Guyahoga and-State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements. in Delinting Devices for Drying Tumblers, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionv relates to the class of laundry machines and more especially to the drying apparatus, as forrinstance, the drying-tumbler, the purpose of this invention beingto remove the moisture from the air and at the same time remove the lint.

The type of dryingmachine, known as the drying tumbler, com rises, in a general way, an air and fan c amber, a heating chamber, and a drying chamber, with means of controlling communication between these several chambers. Dampers are provided for the passage-ways between these chambers and are so set during the drying operation that the air is circulated through the heating chamber, so that it will be warmed before passing through the drying chamber. Then when the materials in the drying chamber are ready to be removed therefrom, the dampers are so adjusted that the heating chamber will be excluded from the circuit of air through the machine so that the fresh outside air passes directly through the drying chamber for the purpose of cooling the materials contained therein.

()ne of the objects of this invention isto remove the moisture from the air in the machine after its passage through the drying chamber so that the same air can be used over and over again without drawing in a fresh supply of outside air.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the moisture which is removed from the air in the machine by condensing it upon a cool surface so that the lint carriedby the air will be caught and held by the film of moisture which has collected upon the cooled surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for removing the moisture and lint from the cool surface as it accumulates thereon, and in this way increase the efiiciency of the device, both as a moisture condensing and a lint collecting means.

A further object of the invention is to remove the moisture and lint from the collecting body to a .point outside of the machine casing where it is discharged.

A still further object of the invention is to deflect the lighter strata of air and fine particles of lint so that they will impinge upon the moisture condensing surface and the fine particles of lint carried thereby will be caught and held by the moisture which has already condense from the lower an heavier strata of the air.

This invention is ca able of being embodied in other forms of structure than that herein disclosed, but an understanding of the preferred form may be had from the following description and claims considered to ether, with the accompanying drawings. ig. 1 is a vertical transverse section through the machine casing; Fig. 2 is a view partly in elevation and .artly in section showing the details of t e moisture condensing means; Fig. 3 shows in elevation the gear connection between the fan and the moisture condensing means; Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section of the machine in the plane of line a of Figs. 1 and 3; Fig. 5 shows in detail the means of mounting the plate for contact with the condensing drum; and Fig. 6 shows in section the discharge connection for the spiral conveyor.

Casing 1 encloses the usual air and fan chamber 3, the heating chamber 2, and the drying chamber 6, all of which chambers have means of communication. The air chamber encloses a fan casing 4 in which is located the fan 12 operating upon its shaft 13 The heating chamber, through which access may be had through doors 7 and 8, encloses the steam coils 9 with their bailic plates 11, all of which are mounted upon the truck 10. The drying chamber 6 contains the foraminous cylinder 28 which has a door 30 hinged thereon and through'whieh access may be had to the materials in the cylinder upon opening door 31 which is hinged on the machine casing 1. Baffle plates 29 are also provided in the drum 28. A fresh air chamber 5 is partitioned off from the main air chamber 3 by means of wall 15, the other wall of this fresh air chamber being partition 16.

Communication between the outs de air and the fan chamber 4 is controlled by means of a damper 20 hingedly mounted at 21, while damperv 18 controls communication between the fresh air chamber 5 and the drying chamber (3, this damper 18 being mounted upon the hinge shaft 22. Passageway between the heating and drying chambers is controlled by damper 25 which is mounted upon its hinge shaft 26, which shaft is supported upon the I-beam 32. The damper 20 controls also the outlet 23 through which the air isforced from the air chamber to the outside atmosphere. The positions of these several dampers may be changed at will according to whether it is desired to circulate warm or cool air through the drying chamber. \Vhen these dampers are in the positions indicated at Fig. 1 the air inside of the casing 1 will be circulated and recirculated through the heating chamber, the drying chamber and the air chamber 3. In this way the same air will be used over and over againwithout drawing in outside air. Then upon adjusting dampers 18, 20, and 25 so as to allow direct communication between the fresh air chamber 5 and the drying chamber 6 and at the same time excluding the heating chamber from the circuit of air by closing the passageways between the air and heating chambers an the heating and drying cnambers, respectively, the fresh air from the outside atmosphere will be forced from fresh air chamber 5 through the drying clnnnber 6 and thence to the air chamber 3 from which point it will be expelled to the. outside atmosphere. This circuit is established at the time when the materials have been sufficiently dried and when it is desired to pass cool air through the drying chamber preparatory to removing the n'iaterials therefrom.

In either of the two cases just referred to, that is, when warm air is being circulated through the drying chamber and also when fresh outside air is being. passed through the drying chamber without being warmed, it has been found that considerable lint is picked up by this air as it passes through the drying chamber, which lint, if not removed, will be forced through thcfan and further circulated through the machine or be expelled to the atmosphere surrounding the machine casin There is considerable objection to the presence of this lint in eilher case. and it is the purpose of this invention to remove the lint from the air after its passage through the drying chamber.

"For this purpose I have provided a cylinder 39 mounted in thc air chamber, as indicated in Fig. l, and extending across the en lire extent of the machine casin This drum 39, which will be made of metal or other similar suitable material, will be kept constantly filled with a fluid, such as water, for instance, the idea being to provide a cool surface at this point in the circuit of the air through the machine so that the moisture collected by the air in its passage through the drying chamber will be condensed upon this cool surface, and furthermore for the purpose of collecting the lint which will readily adhere to the moistened surface of this drum upon coming in contact therewith. The curved wall 14, which forms part of the partition wall of the drying chamber 6, is bent back as shown at 34 in Fig. 1, so as to provide an air passage-way 35 from the drying chamber to the lint collecting device. The ballle or deflector plate 33, which is secured to the top wall of the easing and extends entirely across the machine, will cause the air to be deflected so as to come in contact with the cool surface of the drum 3!). The top wall of the casing will assist also in deflecting the air towards drum 39. The wall member 34 is given the curvature illustrated at 36, Fig. 1 so as to terminate at a point close to the drum 39. This partition wall is inclined so that any moisture that condenses upon the same will drain into the carved channel portion 37. The conveyor member 61 operates within channel 37 for carrying off the lint which is deposited at this point from the surface of the drum 39. The curved channel portion 37 is then extended upwardly as shown at 38 to a point close to the; drum 39. A blade member 40 is fixedly mounted upon shaft 41 in any suitable manner as by straps 40 'secured around shaft 41 and to the blade, and has wiping engagement with the surface of drum 39, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The purpose of this blade member is to remove the lintas well as the moisture from the surface of the drum so that it might be carried oil to the outside by means of the conveyor 61. The shaft 41 has a pair of lUU arms 41 outside of the machine casing,

springs 43 being attached at one end to the arms 41 and having their other ends secured to the casing walls, as at 42, the purpose of these springs being to hold the plate member in firm contact with the drum 39.

The spiral conveyor 61 extends at one end out through a bushing and bearing member 62 which is suitably mounted upon the outside of the casing wall in any suitable manner and which has a collar 63 extending through the casing wall for the reception ofthe spiral conveyor. The neck 64 provides a further housing for the end portion of the conveyor and terminates in the outlet portion 65, Which has a discharge mouth at its lower end, thereby allowing discharge of the lint and condensed fluid. The journal 66 of the conveyor extends through the outside wall of the outlet portion 65 and is mounted for rotation in the bearing member 67 which is secured in any suitable manner to the outside of the outlet 65. A drain (58 through the wall of the outlet provides for the. discharge of any condensed fluid which might find its way from the conveyor into the space between the wall of outlet 65 and the journal bearing member 67. The other end of the conveyor is journalled in the easing wall in any suitable manner.

The drum 39 receives its water supply from the main 59, there being a continuous flow throu h the drum by provision of the outlet 53 w ich has communication with the discharge pipe 51. An air outlet pipe 52 is provided with an opening 54 so that sulfieient air pressure may at all times be mamtained for the successful flow of water through the drum 39. The condensing drum has swivel pipe connections 58 at 1ts two ends so that the pipe connections will not interfere with the journal bearings of the drum. The structural. arrangement is the same at both ends of the drum and is shown in detail in Fig. 2. The gudgeon member 47, which projects through the side Wall of the casing 1, has screw thread engagement with the connecting member 48. The outer end of member 48 terminates in and is adapted to support the coupling combination for the dischar e and air pipes. The main part 56 of this coupling has an annular shoulder abutting the terminal annular flange of the member 418, and a collar 49 has screw thread engagemcntwith the end of 56, and holds a gasket between the members 48 and 56. Member 56 has a neck portion 50 for screw thread engagement with the outlet pipe 51, While a supporting member 46 is also screw threaded into the same member 56, the end ortion of the outlet pipe having screw tiread engagement through its supporting member 46. A cap screws onto the projecting end of the outlet pipe. An annular outlet passage is pro vided for communication between the outlet and the space in the coupling and thence to the pipe 51. The pipe 52 which has an aperture 5t communicates with the outside atmosphere through the pipe 51. By having the air pipe-52 terminate near the-top of the drum, the air is allowed to escape as the drum is filled with water, the inflow being greater than the outflow.

A gear 57 is fixed to the gudgeon 17 at the inlet end of the drum and is operated through the train of gears and pinions 60, 63, 64 and 65, the gear 65 being fixed to shaft 13 of the fan. Any suitable gear ratio may be adopted for producing the operation as herein described. 1 I I The gear 60 isfixed upon shaft 61 of the spiral conveyor at the end opposite to its discharge end, Thus both the spiral conveyor and the drum receive their operation from the fan.

Briefly, the operation of the device is as follows: The foraminous cylinderis rotated back and forth by the well-known mechanism both during the drying and cooling processes. The air contained within the machine casing, without drawing in any outside air, is first circulated through the heatin chamber before being passed throng the drying chamber, during the process of drying the materials. But when 'the materials are being cooled, preparatory to their removal, the heating chamber is excluded from the circuit of air by manipulating the dampers in any known manner. In this case the air is drawn from the outside atmosphere and passed directly through the drying chamber, and finally to the outside atmosphere, a new supply being continuously drawn into the machine.

Moisture'and lint are collected by the drum during the drying process, allowing the clean dry air to pass on through the machine. During the cooling operation the moisture that is picked up by the air as it passes through the drying chamber is condensed upon the drum,'thereby forming a lint collecting medium. The more moist air and the larger particles of lint will form .the lower strata of air as it passes from the drying chamber to the drum, and will impinge upon the drum surface before the ligl'iter strata carrying the smaller and less moist particles of lint. By the time a film or coating of condensed moisture is formed upon the drum by the heavier air, the upper strata will have been deflected by the late 33 toward the drum, and the smaller, ryer lint particles will adhere to the film of moisture upon the drum. Both the moisture and lint are then removed and discharged out through the casing wall in the manner above described.

This device possesses several distinct ad vantages, especially the possibility of using the same warm air over and over again, without drawing in fresh air from the outside. with the resulting economy in both heat and time in drying the materials. If the moisture were not removed from the air it would be necessary to discharge it from the machine to get rid of its moisture and draw in outside air. But more or less moisture would often be carried by the outside air, and such air would not be most efiicient for drying purposes. Furthermore, the outside air would have to be heated for the first time and the discharge of the air from the machine would mean the loss of its heat. This situation has been improved by providing an accelerating means for condensing and removing the moisture from the air, as already ex lained, thereby constantly restoring the e eetiveness of the lint collecting means and hence increasing its efiiciency.

Other advantages resulting from this device will be apparent to those who are familiar with the art.

What I claim is:

1. In a drying machine, the combination lUO' of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, movable means arranged in the path of the air after its passage through said drying chamber for condensing moisture carried by such air, and relatively stationary means co-operating with said movable means for accelerating said comlensation.

2. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, movable means arranged in the path of the air a liter its passage through said drying chamber for condensing moisture carried by such air, and relatively stationary means for removing the condensed moisturefrom said condensing means.

3. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamher, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, a rotatable moisture condensing drum arranged in the path of the air after its passage through said drying chamber, and means for rotating said drum.

4. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, an air drying medium arranged in the path of the air, and means for restoring the air drying power of said medium.

5. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, an imperforate body arranged to intercept the lint-laden air from said drying chamber, and means for causing the deposition of moisture upon said body whereby the lint will collect thereupon, due to said moisture.

6. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, a rotatably mounted imperforate drum arranged in the pathof the lint-laden air after its passage through said drying chamber, means for causing the deposition of moisture upon said drum whereby the lint will collect thereupon, due to said moisture, and means for rotating said drum.

7. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, a moisture condensing body arranged so that different portions of said body can be successively exposed to the air after its passage through said drying chamber, means for operating said body and means for removing the condensed moisture from said body at a point away from the point of exposure.

8. In a dr mg maclnne, the combination of an air an fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers,

a moisture condensing body arranged so that difl'erent portions of said body can be successively exposed to the air after its passage through said drying chamber, means for operating said body so as to expose said body in such manner and a blade member having wiping contact with said body for removal of the condensed moisture therefrom.

10. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, a rotatably mounted moisture condensing drmn arranged in the path of the air after its passage through said drying chamber, and means operatively connected to said air circulating means for rotating said drum.

11. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers. a rotatably mounted moisture condensing drum arranged in the ath of air after its passage through sai drying chamber, means for removing the condensed moisture from said drum, means for discharging the moisture after its removal from said drum. and means for operating said drum.

12. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a dryingchamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, a rotatably mounted moisture condensing and lint collecting drum arranged in the path of air after its passage through said drying chamber, means for removing the condensed moisture and lint from said drum, a spiral member for conveying the condensed moisture and lint after removal from said drum, and means for operating said drum and conveyor.

3. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, a moisture condensing and lint collecting body arranged in the path of the air after heating chamber, a dryin her to a point near said drum and being formed about said drum in spaced relation thereto and providing a channel portion at a point below said drum, means for removing the condensed moisture and lint from said drum and discharging the same through said channel portion, and means for rotating said drum.

15. In a drying machine, a rotatable moisture condensing device comprising an imperforate drum, provided with swivel pipe connections at its ends for fluid supply and drain, said drum being provided at one end with a gear for operation'from a source of ower, an air outlet tube mounted in said out et connection, providin air connection between the top part of sai drum and said outlet pipe.

16. In a drying machine,-the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for circulating air through said several chambers, a moisture condensing bod arranged so that different portions of sa1d body can be successively ex osed to the air after its passage throug said drying chamber, a spring pressed member bearing against said condensing body for efi'ecting the condensed moisture there rom.

17. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for'circulating air through said several chambers, a movably mounted moisture condensing and lint collecting member arranged in the path of air after its pasage through said drying chamber, means for removing the condensed moisture and lint from said memremoval of.

ber, means for conveying the condensed moisture and lint after removal from said member to a point outside of said machine casing, and means for operating said collectin member and conveying means.

18. In a drying machine, the combination of an air and fan chamber, a drying chamber, a heating chamber, means for circulaimperforate lint adhesive medium arranged to be moved into and out of the path of 'ting air through'said several chambers, an'

the air after its passage throughsaid drying chamber, and means for causing the said mediumto be moved into and out ofthe path of the air.

19. In a drying machine, a moisture and lint collecting device comprising a rotatable hollow body adapted to contain a fluid for creating a moisture condensing surface, meansforrotating said body and means for removing moisture of condensation from the outer surface of said body.

20. In a drying machine, the combination of a fan chamber, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, means for forcin air through the said several chambers, a int collector arranged so as to intercept the lint ladened air after its passage through the drying chamber, means for discharging the lint from said collector, a spiral lint conveyor located so as to receive the lint after its discharge from said collector, and means connected with said forcing means for operating said conveyor.

21. In a drying machine, the combination of a fan chamber, a heating chamber, means for forcing air through the said several chambers, a lint collector arranged to intercept the lint ladened air after its passage through said drying chamber, means for discharging the lint from said collector, a curved channel member. extending below said collector, a spiral conveyor rotatably mounted within said channel member and means for operating said carry off the lint after said collector.

In testimony whereof .I aifix signature.

BLUFORD W. BROGKETT.

its discharge from conveyor so as to 

